Essential Pieces of Gear and Several Questions

[thehymns]

I'm newbee to home recording and since it's close to Christmas time, I thought I'd treat myself to some new gear. Unfortunatly, I don't know what I should buy. Here is what I have:

Digidesign 002 Rack
Sytek MPX-4A

I'm hunting for a compressor or two, here is what I have in mind:

DBX 166 (original...what is a reasonable price for a used one?)
Symetrix 528 (what is a reasonable price for a used one?)
Symetrix 501 (what is a reasonable price for a used one?)
Symetrix 425 (what is a reasonable price for a used one?)
JoeMeek VC3 (I know nothing about this particular unit, please inform me!)
Aphex Expressor (I also know nothing about this unit)

I need a good compressor for the bass more then anything, and it sounds like the 501 is the unit to get for that.

I was also looking at a T.C. Electronic M300 and the Lexicon MPX 100...what are some other units similar to this, and is a $100 a good deal on an MPX 100?

Do I need a power regulator? If so, what is a decent one. I don't want to spend more than $200 on most things because I'm going to Belmont University for audio engineering next year and I can't and won't need to bring this stuff with me, but I'd like to be familiar with everything and I love recoding my own music and friends.

 

[perceive]

Well for the compressor my adfvice would be to get an rnc. or two even if you can! They are, for their price, amazing little units.

Out of the TC and the MPX 100 I'd say the TC. I had a 110 at one point and upgraded to a 550 there is a noticeable difference... and the TC seems good value...

My .02 of course, so feel free to ignore it